A beautiful little poem crossed my path today and I used it for my morning reflection:
WORDS.
So powerful.
They can crush a heart, or heal it.
They can shame a soul, or liberate it.
They can shatter dreams, or energize them.
They can obstruct connection, or invite it.
They can create defenses, or melt them.
We have to use words wisely.
~ Jeff Brown

It is so true isn’t it? Think of the way your heart expands and your soul resonates when someone shares kind words with you, words of appreciation or love, words of acceptance and grace, our body embraces the energy with peace and warmth and we radiate as we walk away with the words echoing in our thoughts.

But we all have also been the unfortunate victim of harsh and unkind words, words that act like curses, words that sting and cause horrible pain, words that emphasize negative patterns and create harmful thoughts. Our souls shrink, our hearts ache, our body’s drawn inward and feel the need to protect and conserve as our inner light dims from the pain.

These are the extremes of our words, but what about the more simple utterances that are spoken in the everyday conversations about the mail, or homework, chores, request of assistance from a co-worker, ordering our lunch and more. How can we add a vibrancy to those simple words? How can we soften any criticism so that it is positive and not harmful? How can we show appreciation without turning it into a Hallmark moment, but maintain genuine gratitude? How do we become mindful of this and intentionally choose to use our words wisely?

I am specifically carrying this in my heart today as weave my way through my day. I will cross many paths, I will meet up with many strangers, I will share exchanges with family and friends and I will be selective in my words. I will also be observant to the energy created in this specific act. It feels like a sacred act as it is holding intention of grace and beauty, compassion and acceptance, peace and consideration. May it ripple and ripple and ripple out into other’s wise words.